Ajax 3-3 Bayern Munich
It’s hard to top Champions League nights like this.
Here were two of European football’s most famous names going head to head in a wonderful arena.
Qualification for the last 16 may already have been assured but top spot in Group E was on the line—and how SBOBET fans were treated to a real spectacle.
In fact, this game will feature strongly in the Champions League 2018 highlights as a contest that pretty much had everything, including penalties, red cards and eight minutes of stoppage time.
Highlights of the game
The gist of it all is that Ajax are still unbeaten in Europe in 2018/19—a run of 12 matches—after Nicolas Tagliafico fired home an equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
It capped a dramatic night, particularly the second half which few saw coming after the opening 45 minutes.
At halftime, the two sides were only separated by Robert Lewandowski’s 13th-minute goal. The Pole striker raced clear to score for the fourth successive European match, increasing his tally to seven to become the Champions League’s lone top-scorer (ahead of Lionel Messi).
Needing only a draw to top the group, Bayern were in control until Ajax suddenly took the initiative. For a moment, the Dutch side seemed to be heading to the top.
It was no surprise that Dusan Tadic was the main man, as the Serbian international has now scored five of Ajax’s last six goals in the competition.
First, he produced a close-range finish just after the hour mark. Then, after teammate Maximilian Wober and Bayern’s Thomas Muller were sent off eight minutes apart, they were in front.
Eight minutes were left on the clock when Jerome Boateng fouled Kasper Dolberg and Tadic converted from 12 yards.
It was the start of a frenetic finale. Within four minutes, a second penalty was awarded as Tagliafico fouled Thiago Alcantara. Lewandowski (who else?!) netted from the spot after that.
Still, the drama wasn’t over.
Kingsley Coman scored with a fine strike from just inside the box as the game went into injury time, but there was still time for the spirited hosts. Ajax made the best out of the time remaining, with Tagliafico tapping home Klaas-Jan Huntelaar’s cross to draw the Dutch level.
It was quite an end to quite a game.
The Champions League 2018 betting odds strongly favour Bayern to be one of the contenders for the trophy—even though they are playing second fiddle in the Bundesliga this term. However, there’s no doubt Ajax may surprise a few opponents.
Key statistics
- This was Bayern Munich’s 150th group game in the Champions League.
- This is the first time Ajax have progressed from the group stages since 2005/06, and they deserved their success this year. The Amsterdam club has lost only one of their last nine home fixtures in the UEFA Champions League group stage (won five, drawn three).
- Ajax have won 14 of their 17 home games against German clubs, the sole defeat a 4-1 loss against Borussia Dortmund in the 2012/13 Champions League group stages.
- Lewandowski, who has been breaking records for a few years, now has 53 goals (in 78 games) in Champions League history. He is the seventh player to reach the landmark of 50 goals in the competition.
- Bayern’s only success in the last seven matches against Ajax was in 2004.
- Ajax coach Erik ten Hag was coach of Bayern’s B team between 2013 and 2014, winning the Regionalliga Bayern in 2014.
- The draws with Ajax are the only games in which Bayern have dropped points in the section.
- Ajax have not lost a game nor failed to score a goal since losing 3-0 to PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch league in September.
- Bayern Munich have reached the Champions League quarter-finals or better in each of the last seven seasons.
What’s next?
Ajax have three matches remaining before the winter break.
They host De Graafschap in the Eredivisie on Sunday (December 16), travel to Roda in the Dutch Cup Round of 16 on December 12 and then visit Utrecht in league action two days before Christmas.
Likewise, Bayern, who currently sit third in the Bundesliga standings, have three league matches to contend with.
They travel to Hannover 96 on Saturday before taking on RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt—the side which surprisingly beat them in last season’s German Cup Final.
Remarkably, that will mark the first time that Bayern coach Niko Kovac will face his former team since leaving them in the summer.
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